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2017, October 29 ~ Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

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During the 2017 Pentecost Season, alternative readings from the Hebrew Bible are offered. Scripture in Context will discuss both readings and the reading from the Christian Scriptures.

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Deuteronomy is the fifth (and last) book of the Torah and (except for today’s reading) is presented as Moses’ final speech to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. “Deuteronomy” comes from Greek words that mean “Second Law” and is structured as a “restatement’ of the laws in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Parts of it were revised in the 5th Century BCE, but the bulk of the book is generally dated to the reign of Josiah (640-609 BCE).

It is the first book of the “Deuteronomic History” – a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the Wilderness to the Babylonian Exile (587 BCE), including Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings.

Today’s reading is the last chapter of the Torah and a segue to the Book of Joshua. It recounted Moses’ death and the passing of authority to Joshua. Moses’ burial site is unknown (v. 6) lest it become a place of veneration. Mount Nebo and Pisgah are different places, but the author treats them as the same in order to respect different traditions about the place of Moses’ death.

The statement that Moses knew YHWH “face to face” (v.10) became part of Israel’s Messianic expectation when combined with Deut. 18:18 (“I [YHWH] will raise up for them a prophet like you [Moses] from among their own people.”) The Gospel According to Matthew especially emphasized Jesus of Nazareth as the New Moses.

Ironically (and reflecting different religious and theological traditions within the Torah), last week’s reading specifically said Moses could not see YHWH’s face and live (Ex. 33:20-23).

Leviticus 19:1-2,15-18

Leviticus is the third book of the Torah and is mostly concerned with a variety of laws and the worship of YHWH. The book gets its name from the priests who were of the Tribe of Levi. It is part of the Priestly writings and dated to the time of the Exile (587-539 BCE) and after the Exile.

Today’s reading is part of the “Holiness Code” written after the Exile that comprises Chapters 17 to 26. The opening verses call the people of Israel (and us) to be “holy” – which is understood as being “separate” (that is, not OF this world and its values, even though we are IN this world). The last verse (“love your neighbor as yourself”) became the Second Great Commandment in the Gospels, when combined with Deut. 6:5 (“love the LORD [YHWH] your God”).

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians was Paul’s first letter and was written around 50 CE. Thessaloniki is a seaport and was the capital of Macedonia. The letter encouraged the community to be steadfast in the face of persecution. In today’s reading, Paul emphasized the sincerity of his preaching to them, and that he considered himself entrusted with the gospel by God (v.4).

2017, February 12 ~ Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Sirach 15:15-20 & 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

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Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Deuteronomy is the fifth (and last) book of the Torah and is presented as Moses’ final speech to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land. The word “Deuteronomy” comes from Greek words that mean “Second Law.” The book is structured as a “restatement’ of the laws in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Although there were revisions to Deuteronomy as late as the 5th Century BCE, the bulk of the book is generally dated to the 7th Century BCE.

It is also the first book of the “Deuteronomic History” – a didactic history of Ancient Israel from the time in the Wilderness to the Babylonian Exile (589 BCE) and includes the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings.

In today’s reading, the Deuteronomic authors portray the covenant with YHWH as conditional. If the people (and particularly the king) love the LORD and “walk in his ways” (v.16), good things will happen for them. But if they “turn away” by worshiping other gods, they will perish. Their choice was whether to “choose life” or not (v. 19).

The Revised Common Lectionary for today offers a choice between Sirach and 1 Corinthians.

Sirach 15:15-20

The Book of Sirach is not included in the Jewish version of the Hebrew Bible, but is included in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox versions of the Hebrew Bible. Protestants place Sirach in a separate section of the Bible called the “Apocrypha” (which means “hidden books”). The book is known by the name of its author, and its full title is “The Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sirach.” It was written around 180 BCE, during a time when the Seleucids (from Syria) were ruling Judea and trying to impose Greek gods upon the Judeans. Ben Sira describes himself as a “scribe” (a person of learning).

In today’s reading, Sirach reiterates the theme of Deuteronomy 30 that the Jewish people must choose whether to obey the commandments or not. Consistent with today’s reading from Deuteronomy, the choice is between life and death (v.17).

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Corinth, a large port city in Greece, was among the early Jesus Follower communities that Paul founded. Its culture was Hellenistic and emphasized reason and secular wisdom. In addition to Paul, other Jesus Followers also taught in Corinth, sometimes in ways inconsistent with Paul’s understandings of what it means to be a Jesus Follower. This led to contentions among the Corinthians.

Today’s reading continues Paul’s argument to the Corinthians. He asserts that he cannot speak to them as “spiritual people” and they need to be fed spiritual “baby food” because they are “still of the flesh” (exhibiting “human inclinations” by quarreling and being jealous). Growth in faith comes from God, not particular teachers, including Paul and Apollos.